Early literacy has been a centerpiece of the state's education policy goals, but the number of Black and Hispanic third grade students reading at or above grade level has declined since the start of pandemic, state officials said Friday during a meeting of the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
The drop was most dramatic among Hispanic third graders. According to the state's latest data, 28% of Hispanic third graders were reading at grade level this year. That figure is 10 points lower than in 2019, the last time the MCAS test was offered.
The number of Black third graders meeting or exceeding expectations also decreased, falling to 32% from 38% two years ago.
By comparison, over 60% of white third graders met expectations this year, almost identical to their 2019 scores.
Department of Education Director of Literacy and Humanities Katherine Tarca said, overall, about half of all third graders met or exceeded grade expectations statewide.
"During the pandemic, as a state, we've actually lost ground in terms of literacy equity for our third graders," Tarca said.
Students did not take the MCAS exam in 2020 because of the complexities of administering the test when many students were learning remotely in the pandemic.
A department review of elementary and early childhood reading syllabi found that some third grade reading programs in the state have limited or no opportunities to learn about word decoding, phoenetic awareness, or certain components of writing instruction, according to Education Commissioner Jeff Riley. He said the state would launch a new effort to ensure reading teachers are prepared, including a literacy-focused expectation that will be part of teacher licensing.
"We've always struggled with the issue of third grade reading," he told the board. "I think an evidence-based model is the way to go and can make dramatic results in the future for our children."
Third grade is considered a milestone year for students learning to read. Numerous studies have shown that students who aren't proficient readers by then are much more likely to struggle in later grades and not make it to graduation.
